User interface protector and protected user interface

ABSTRACT

Protectors for user interfaces having a perimeter and having a substantially-planar display board disposed about their perimeter, the protector comprising a framework dimensioned sufficiently to protect the user interface from sustaining damage from moving objects, the protector having a plurality of attachment fixtures, and wherein the framework comprises vertical beams having end portions that are permanently affixed to the attachment fixtures. The instant protectors are useful, inter alia, for user interfaces disposed at locations at which they are susceptible to sustaining damage from moving objects, including motorized vehicles, which includes trucks and automobiles.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to interfaces, including dataterminals, at which persons can enter data. More particularly, itrelates to protecting interfaces which are accessible by a driver of anmotor vehicle from potential damage from inadvertent operation of themotor vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The combined advents of motorcars and computerized electronic userinterfaces for data transfer and financial transactions have given riseto the existence of display boards that include user interfaces at whichan operator of a motorized vehicle may access a user interface whileremaining seated in the driver's seat of the motorized vehicle. In orderto attain sufficient proximity to a user interface, it is often the casethat a person must maneuver a motorized vehicle into a suitableposition. As persons are sometimes capable of making errors, it has beenfound to be the case that many user interfaces are subject to beingdamaged by errant operators of motorized vehicles, causing expensivedamage to the user interfaces. Use of an article as provided hereinsubstantially eliminates such damage from occurring, saving substantialmonies for owners of such interfaces in repair and downtime.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protector for a user interface having a perimeter and having asubstantially-planar display board disposed about its perimeter, saidprotector comprising a framework dimensioned sufficiently to protectsaid user interface from sustaining damage from moving objects, saidprotector having a plurality of attachment fixtures, said frameworkcomprising vertical beams having end portions that are permanentlyaffixed to said attachment fixtures, said attachment fixtures beingconfigured to be removably attached to said substantially-planarsurface. In one embodiment, an interface protector comprises: asubstantially-linear first horizontal beam having a first end portionand a second end portion; a substantially-linear first horizontal beamhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; asubstantially-linear first vertical beam having a first end portion anda second end portion; a substantially-linear second vertical beam havinga first end portion and a second end portion; a substantially-linearthird vertical beam having a first end portion and a second end portion;and a substantially-linear fourth vertical beam having a first endportion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the firstvertical beam is attached to the first horizontal beam at the first endportion of the first horizontal beam. The first end portion of thesecond vertical beam is attached to the first horizontal beam at thesecond end portion of the first horizontal beam. The first vertical beamand second vertical beam each form an angle of about 90 degrees with thefirst horizontal beam at their points of attachment to the firsthorizontal beam. The first end portion of the third vertical beam isattached to the second horizontal beam at the first end portion of thesecond horizontal beam. The first end portion of the fourth verticalbeam is attached to the second horizontal beam at the second end portionof the second horizontal beam. The third vertical beam and fourthvertical beam each form an angle of about 90 degrees with the secondhorizontal beam at their points of attachment to the second horizontalbeam. There is a first substantially-linear support beam having a firstend portion and a second end portion. The first end portion of the firstsupport beam is attached to the first horizontal beam substantially atthe location where the first horizontal beam is attached to the firstvertical beam. The first support beam forms an angle of about 90 degreeswith both of the first horizontal beam and the first vertical beam. Thesecond end portion of the first support beam is attached to the secondhorizontal beam substantially at the location where the secondhorizontal beam is attached to the third vertical beam. The firstsupport beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both the secondhorizontal beam and the third vertical beam. There is a secondsubstantially-linear support beam having a first end portion and asecond end portion. The first end portion of the second support beam isattached to the first horizontal beam substantially at the locationwhere the first horizontal beam is attached to the second vertical beam.The first support beam forms an angle of about 90 degrees with both thefirst horizontal beam and the second vertical beam. The second endportion of the second support beam is attached to the second horizontalbeam substantially at the location where the second horizontal beam isattached to the fourth vertical beam. The second support beam forms anangle of about 90 degrees with both of the second horizontal beam andthe fourth vertical beam. There is a first attachment fixture having afloor portion comprising a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, anda wall portion. The first attachment fixture is attached to the secondend portion of the first vertical beam and the second end portion of thethird vertical beam. There is a second attachment fixture having a floorportion comprising a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, and awall portion. The second attachment fixture is attached to the secondend portion of the second vertical beam and the second end portion ofthe fourth vertical beam. In one embodiment the support beams aredisposed to be oriented so that their longest length dimensions aresubstantially parallel to the longest length dimension of the attachmentfixtures.

Also provided is a terminal at which information transfer may be causedto transpire. The terminal comprises: a display board comprising atleast one menu of information; a user interface disposed on the displayboard; and an interface protector removably attached to the displayboard and disposed within sufficient proximity to the user interface soas to effectively shield the user interface from sustaining damage froma moving object present in the proximity of the user interface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of invention may take physical form in certain elements andarrangement of elements, the preferred embodiment of which will bedescribed in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings whichform a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an interface protector according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an interface protector according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of an interface protector according to oneembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an attachment fixture according toone embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of a display board having a user interfacedisposed thereon and also provided with an interface protector accordingto one embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a close-up frontal perspective view of a user interfacedisposed on a display board which is provided with an interfaceprotector according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purposeof illustrating the invention only and not for the purpose of limitingthe same, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an interface protector 10according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodimentis shown first attachment fixture 9 a and second attachment fixture 9 b.In one embodiment each of the first attachment fixture 9 a and secondattachment fixture 9 b comprise angled metal stock (“angled stock”),which may comprise as angled iron, steel, aluminum and any other metalor metallic alloy, such angled stock sometimes referred to in the art as“angle iron”. In one embodiment there is a first horizontal beam 5 ahaving a first end portion and a second end portion, in which the firsthorizontal beam 5 a is sufficiently bent at its end portions to define afirst vertical beam portion 3 a and a second vertical beam portion 3 b.In another embodiment, the first horizontal beam 5 a is a separate anddistinct piece from first vertical beam portion 3 a and a secondvertical beam portion 3 b, and the first vertical beam portion 3 a and asecond vertical beam portion 3 b are each attached to the ends of thefirst horizontal beam 5 a by conventional means, including welds andwelding.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 there is a second horizontal beam 5 bhaving a first end portion and a second end portion, in which the secondhorizontal beam 5 b is sufficiently bent at its end portions to define athird vertical beam portion 3 c and a fourth vertical beam portion 3 d.In another embodiment, the second horizontal beam 5 b is a separate anddistinct piece from third vertical beam portion 3 c and fourth verticalbeam portion 3 d, and the third vertical beam portion 3 c and fourthvertical beam portion 3 d are each attached to the ends of the secondhorizontal beam 5 b by conventional means, including welds and welding.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 there is a first support beam 7 a anda second support beam 7 b, each having a first end portion and a secondend portion. The first end portion of the first support beam 7 a isattached to each of the first horizontal beam 5 a and the secondhorizontal beam 5 b substantially at the points where the vertical beams3 a, 3 c intersect the horizontal beams 5 a, 5 b, substantially at thefirst end portions of the horizontal beams 5 a, 5 b, as shown. The firstend portion of the second support beam 7 b is attached to each of thefirst horizontal beam 5 a and the second horizontal beam 5 bsubstantially at the points where the vertical beams 3 b, 3 d intersectthe horizontal beams 5 a, 5 b, substantially at the second end portionsof the horizontal beams 5 a, 5 b, as shown. In one embodiment, the firstsupport beam 7 a and the second support beam 7 b are each attached tothe first and second horizontal beams 5 a and 5 b by conventional means,such as by welding.

In another embodiment, the first support beam 7 a comprises a singlepiece, such as rod stock, which is bent so that its end portionscomprise the first vertical beam 3 a and a third vertical beam 3 c, andthe second support beam 7 b comprises a single piece, such as rod stock,which is bent so that its end portions comprise the second vertical beam3 b and a fourth vertical beam 3 d. In this embodiment, the firsthorizontal beam 5 a and second horizontal beam 5 b are eachsubstantially linear, each having a first end portion and a second endportion. In this embodiment, the first end portion of the firsthorizontal beam 5 a is attached substantially at the location at whichthe first vertical beam 3 a intersects the first support beam 7 a, andthe second end portion of the first horizontal beam 5 a is attachedsubstantially at the location at which the second vertical beam 3 bintersects the second support beam 7 b. The first end portion of thesecond horizontal beam 5 b is attached substantially at the location atwhich the third vertical beam 3 c intersects the first support beam 7 a,and the second end portion of the second horizontal beam 5 b is attachedsubstantially at the location at which the fourth vertical beam 3 dintersects the second support beam 7 b. Conventional means ofattachment, such as welds are useful again in connection of the variouselements as described.

In the embodiment shown and described in reference to FIG. 1, the endportions of the first vertical beam 3 a and third vertical beam 3 c areshown attached to the first attachment fixture 9 a, and the end portionsof the second vertical beam 3 b and fourth vertical beam 3 d are shownattached to the second attachment fixture 9 b. The exact location on thevertical beams at which the end portions of the first, second, third andfourth vertical beams 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, and 3 d are attached to theattachment fixtures 9 a, 9 b is not necessarily critical, as oneembodiment provides for attachment, by welding, to be made at the veryends of the vertical beams where they intersect the attachment fixturesfloor portions (91, FIG. 4). In another embodiment, attachment of thevertical beams to the attachment fixtures, by welding, are made alongthe shank of the vertical beams, the weld being made between the shankof the vertical beams and the vertical wall portion (33, FIG. 4) of theattachment fixtures. Also shown in the embodiment provided in FIG. 1 areholes 11 disposed through the floor portion (91, FIG. 4) of the firstattachment fixture 9 a, which serve to enable the interface protector 10to be affixed to a flat surface, by insertion of conventional fastenersincluding without limitation nuts and bolts, and rivets therethrough.Second attachment fixture 9 b is identically equipped with such holes.In a preferred embodiments, all elements of the interface protector 10shown and described in reference to FIG. 1 are comprised of a metal or ametallic alloy, including without limitation aluminum, and stainlesssteel. In a preferred embodiment, the cross section of the verticalbeams, horizontal beams and support beams are circular; however, stockhaving cross-sections other than circular may be employed, includingwithout limitation stock that is oval in cross section and rectangularin cross section.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of an interface protector 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 are shown the respectivelocations of first horizontal beam 5 a, first vertical beam 3 a, secondvertical beam 3 b, first attachment fixture 9 a, and second attachmentfixture 9 b.

FIG. 3 shows an end view of an interface protector 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3 are shown the respectivelocations of second support beam 7 b, second vertical beam 3 b, fourthvertical beam 3 d, second attachment fixture 9 b having a vertical wall33, and holes 11 disposed through the floor (91, FIG. 4) of the secondattachment fixture 9 b. The exemplary location of weld 69 is shown toillustrate one embodiment in which vertical beam 3 b is attached to theattachment fixture 9 b at its vertical wall 33. The exemplary locationof weld 70 is shown to illustrate another embodiment in which verticalbeam 3 d is attached to attachment fixture 9 b substantially at the endof the vertical beam 3 d.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of an attachment fixture 9 according toone embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, theattachment fixture 9 comprises an angled piece of metal generally in theform of an L-shape as viewed from a side perspective. Such angled metalstock is well known in the art and may be comprised of various metalsand metallic alloys. Attachment fixture 9 includes a vertical wall 33, afloor portion 91, and holes 11 disposed through the floor portion 91 forfastening, as previously described.

FIG. 5 shows a frontal view of a display board 13 having a userinterface 21 disposed thereon and also provided with an interfaceprotector 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. A displayboard 13 such as that shown in FIG. 5 occurs in many locations,including banking machines, drive-thru windows at restaurants, and otherlocations where a person may interface with an external database whileresiding within the driver's seat of a motorized vehicle, pushing ashopping cart, etc. Often such a display board contains a firstinformation menu 23, sometimes a second information menu 25, andsometimes more information menus. These menus may contain instructionsfor the user, advertisements, offers, including food items. Often, sucha display board 13 is mounted on a firmament 19 such as the earth or aman-made surface such as concrete, by means of a first vertical support15 and a second vertical support 17. Typically, there is a userinterface 21 disposed on the display board 13, useful for enabling aperson to enter data, which may include menu selections or othercommands as are known in the art. Such a user interface 21 typicallyincludes a keypad and a data screen which may be a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) screen. It is also not uncommon for such user interface 21to include a credit-card reading device, to enable a user to swipe theircard to make a payment on a financial transaction, which may includeordering a bag of French fries, or obtaining cash from an automatedteller machine. Also shown in FIG. 5 is interface protector 10 disposedabout the user interface 21, by the interface protector 10 beingattached to the display board by means of bolts disposed through theholes 11 in the attachment fixtures. Such affixment of the interfaceprotector 10 protects the user interface 21 from potential damagearising from a collision between a wheeled or other device such asshopping cart or an automobile and the user interface, for cases wherethe person in charge of the wheeled or other device behaves carelessly.

FIG. 6 shows a close-up frontal perspective view of a user interface 21disposed on a display board 13 which is provided with an interfaceprotector 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. Userinterfaces such as 21 can sometimes be flush with the surface of thedisplay board 13 and can other times protrude outwardly from the surfaceof the display board, i.e., they “stick out”. Often these userinterfaces exist substantially in the form of a rectangular solid. In apreferred embodiment, the lengths of the vertical beams of an interfaceprotector as provided herein are dimensioned sufficiently so that thehorizontal beams 5 a, 5 b are disposed farther from the surface of thedisplay board 13 than is the topmost surface of the user interface 21,sufficiently so that if the interface protector 10 is struck by anobject or device moving towards the user interface 21, the interfaceprotector 10 is struck before the user interface 21 itself is struck,thus absorbing or deflecting the force of the blow of the object ordevice. By such provision, the user interface 21 can be prevented fromsustaining damage from a moving object or device. In FIG. 6 userinterface 21 is seen to include a card reader 27, a keypad (not labeled)and a display 31. The respective locations of the first horizontal beam5 a, second horizontal beam 5 b, first support beam (not labeled),second support beam 7 b, first attachment fixture 9 a, second attachmentfixture 9 b of the interface protector 10 are shown. In this embodiment,the interface protector is maintained in position above the userinterface 21 by its being attached to the display board surface byfasteners 29, disposed through holes 11 (FIG. 1), and correspondingfasteners through like holes on second attachment fixture 9 b. Theattachment fixtures are attached to the display board at a location thatis adjacent to the user interface 21, making the removal of theinterface protector 10 a simple operation for cases where the userinterface may need to be serviced.

While the invention has been described by reference to certainembodiments, it should be understood that changes can be made within thespirit and scope of the inventive concepts described. Accordingly, it isintended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments,but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of thefollowing claims.

1) An interface protector comprising: a) a substantially-linear firsthorizontal beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; b)a substantially-linear second horizontal beam having a first end portionand a second end portion; c) a substantially-linear first vertical beamhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; d) asubstantially-linear second vertical beam having a first end portion anda second end portion; e) a substantially-linear third vertical beamhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; f) asubstantially-linear fourth vertical beam having a first end portion anda second end portion, said first end portion of said first vertical beambeing attached to said first horizontal beam at said first end portionof said first horizontal beam, said first end portion of said secondvertical beam being attached to said first horizontal beam at saidsecond end portion of said first horizontal beam, said first verticalbeam and second vertical beam each forming an angle of about 90 degreeswith said first horizontal beam at their points of attachment to saidfirst horizontal beam, said first end portion of said third verticalbeam being attached to said second horizontal beam at said first endportion of said second horizontal beam, said first end portion of saidfourth vertical beam being attached to said second horizontal beam atsaid second end portion of said second horizontal beam, said thirdvertical beam and fourth vertical beam each forming an angle of about 90degrees with said second horizontal beam at their points of attachmentto said second horizontal beam; g) a first substantially-linear supportbeam having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first endportion of said first support beam being attached to said firsthorizontal beam substantially at the location where said firsthorizontal beam is attached to said first vertical beam, said firstsupport beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both of saidfirst horizontal beam and said first vertical beam, said second endportion of said first support beam being attached to said secondhorizontal beam substantially at the location where said secondhorizontal beam is attached to said third vertical beam, said firstsupport beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both of saidsecond horizontal beam and said third vertical beam; h) a secondsubstantially-linear support beam having a first end portion and asecond end portion, said first end portion of said second support beambeing attached to said first horizontal beam substantially at thelocation where said first horizontal beam is attached to said secondvertical beam, said first support beam forming an angle of about 90degrees with both of said first horizontal beam and said second verticalbeam, said second end portion of said second support beam being attachedto said second horizontal beam substantially at the location where saidsecond horizontal beam is attached to said fourth vertical beam, saidsecond support beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both ofsaid second horizontal beam and said fourth vertical beam; i) a firstattachment fixture, said first attachment fixture being attached to saidsecond end portion of said first vertical beam and said second endportion of said third vertical beam; and j) a second attachment fixture,said second attachment fixture being attached to said second end portionof said second vertical beam and said second end portion of said fourthvertical beam. 2) An interface protector according to claim 1 whereinsaid first attachment fixture has a floor portion comprising a pluralityof holes disposed therethrough, and a wall portion. 3) An interfaceprotector according to claim 2 wherein said second attachment fixturehas a floor portion comprising a plurality of holes disposedtherethrough, and a wall portion. 4) An interface protector according toclaim 1 wherein said attachment fixtures each comprise a section of anangle iron. 5) An interface protector according to claim 1 wherein allelements of said interface protector comprise a material selected fromthe group consisting of: iron, steel, stainless steel, and aluminum. 6)An interface protector according to claim 1 wherein said support beamsare disposed to be oriented so that their longest length dimensions aresubstantially parallel to the longest length dimension of saidattachment fixtures. 7) An interface protector according to claim 3wherein said support beams are disposed to be oriented so that theirlongest length dimensions are substantially parallel to the longestlength dimension of said attachment fixtures. 8) A terminal at whichinformation transfer is effected, comprising: a) a substantially-planardisplay board comprising at least one menu of information; b) a userinterface disposed on said display board, said user interface protrudingupwardly from said substantially-planar display board; and c) aninterface protector removably attached to said display board anddisposed within sufficient proximity to said user interface so as toeffectively shield said user interface from sustaining damage from amoving object present in the proximity of said user interface. 9) Aterminal according to claim 8 wherein said user interface includes amagnetic card reader. 10) A terminal according to claim 8, wherein saiduser interface is disposed such that to be accessible by the driver of amotorized vehicle. 11) A terminal according to claim 8 wherein saidinterface protector is dimensioned sufficiently so that at least one ofits elements is disposed at a greater distance from said display boardthan is disposed any portion of said user interface distanced from saiddisplay board. 12) A terminal according to claim 8 wherein saidinterface protector comprises: a) a substantially-linear firsthorizontal beam having a first end portion and a second end portion; b)a substantially-linear second horizontal beam having a first end portionand a second end portion; c) a substantially-linear first vertical beamhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; d) asubstantially-linear second vertical beam having a first end portion anda second end portion; e) a substantially-linear third vertical beamhaving a first end portion and a second end portion; f) asubstantially-linear fourth vertical beam having a first end portion anda second end portion, said first end portion of said first vertical beambeing attached to said first horizontal beam at said first end portionof said first horizontal beam, said first end portion of said secondvertical beam being attached to said first horizontal beam at saidsecond end portion of said first horizontal beam, said first verticalbeam and second vertical beam each forming an angle of about 90 degreeswith said first horizontal beam at their points of attachment to saidfirst horizontal beam, said first end portion of said third verticalbeam being attached to said second horizontal beam at said first endportion of said second horizontal beam, said first end portion of saidfourth vertical beam being attached to said second horizontal beam atsaid second end portion of said second horizontal beam, said thirdvertical beam and fourth vertical beam each forming an angle of about 90degrees with said second horizontal beam at their points of attachmentto said second horizontal beam; g) a first substantially-linear supportbeam having a first end portion and a second end portion, said first endportion of said first support beam being attached to said firsthorizontal beam substantially at the location where said firsthorizontal beam is attached to said first vertical beam, said firstsupport beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both of saidfirst horizontal beam and said first vertical beam, said second endportion of said first support beam being attached to said secondhorizontal beam substantially at the location where said secondhorizontal beam is attached to said third vertical beam, said firstsupport beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both of saidsecond horizontal beam and said third vertical beam; h) a secondsubstantially-linear support beam having a first end portion and asecond end portion, said first end portion of said second support beambeing attached to said first horizontal beam substantially at thelocation where said first horizontal beam is attached to said secondvertical beam, said first support beam forming an angle of about 90degrees with both of said first horizontal beam and said second verticalbeam, said second end portion of said second support beam being attachedto said second horizontal beam substantially at the location where saidsecond horizontal beam is attached to said fourth vertical beam, saidsecond support beam forming an angle of about 90 degrees with both ofsaid second horizontal beam and said fourth vertical beam; i) a firstattachment fixture, said first attachment fixture being attached to saidsecond end portion of said first vertical beam and said second endportion of said third vertical beam; and j) a second attachment fixture,said second attachment fixture being attached to said second end portionof said second vertical beam and said second end portion of said fourthvertical beam. 13) A terminal according to claim 8, wherein saidterminal is disposed at a drive-through restaurant. 14) A protector fora user interface having a perimeter and having a substantially-planardisplay board disposed about its perimeter, said protector comprising aframework dimensioned sufficiently to protect said user interface fromsustaining damage from moving objects, said protector having a pluralityof attachment fixtures, said framework comprising four vertical beamshaving end portions that are permanently affixed to said attachmentfixtures, said attachment fixtures being configured to be removablyattached to said substantially-planar surface, said attachment fixturescomprising a first attachment fixture that is attached to the endportions of two of said vertical beams, and a second attachment fixturethat is attached to the end portions of the remaining vertical beams towhich said first attachment fixture is not attached. 15) A protectoraccording to claim 14 wherein said attachment fixtures comprise angledstock, each of said attachment fixtures having a floor portioncomprising a plurality of holes disposed therethrough, and a verticalwall portion.
 16. A protector according to claim 15 wherein saidvertical beams are affixed to said attachment fixtures at said verticalwall portion of said angled stock.